Well I am back at my home in Florida. I consider this home....for now, but now have love for other parts of the country that are pretty freaking amazing. Before I start my best of lists, here is a picture from this morning.
I met chaplain Amy when I became a chaplain assistant at Altus AFB, OK. She was doing Air Force Reserve duty there about a year after I got there. Amy is a great woman to know and an amazing friend to have. I believed this so much that when I got to Hurlburt here in Florida and found out they had an open slot, I called her and asked if she wanted to come here. She transferred to Hurlburt for a few years before having to move on to other places. Amy's family opened their home up for me to stay a full day in Jacksonville. It was hard not riding the bike for a day, but it was wonderful to be in such a homey environment to relax for a day. That is what I noticed about all of my friend's houses I stayed at. I never felt like a burden. It felt like me being there was a good thing. I am definitely going to have to evaluate how I do vacations and start revisiting these amazing people. Chaplain Amy and her husband made me breakfast before I left. it was a 5 hour ride today back to Fort Walton Beach in the hot and humid land known as Florida.
Here it is. This is the same location I took my first picture for the trip 11,000 miles of dirt, grease, and tire wear later. I grew a full beard and some wavy hair in the month I was gone as well, and I like it. I need to clean it up, but this shaggy dude may stay shaggy for a while. I think I may end the blog today and do some lists that will be released over the next week as I go through my pictures and think about the amazing things I saw and more importantly the amazing things I thought about on the trip.
I want to end today by encouraging you to just do the thing you have always wanted if it builds you up and doesn't tear anyone else down. Take care of yourself and show the ones you love that they are important.
Best of lists to come real soon.